Mass shooting at South African bar kills 12, including 3 children.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A tragic mass shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday at an unlicensed bar in the Saulsville township, located west of Pretoria, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including three children aged 3, 12, and 16. Authorities reported that 13 other individuals sustained injuries during the attack and were receiving medical treatment, though details regarding the age and condition of the injured victims have not been disclosed.
The violent incident unfolded around 4:15 a.m., but police were not notified until approximately 6 a.m. Initial reports indicated that ten victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene, with a subsequent victim passing away in the hospital, prompting authorities to revise the death toll. Police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe confirmed that three unidentified gunmen entered the establishment and began indiscriminately firing upon patrons.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are actively seeking the suspects. This shooting adds to the alarming trend of gun violence in South Africa, a nation grappling with one of the highest homicide rates globally. In 2024 alone, the country registered over 26,000 homicides, averaging more than 70 killings per day, with firearms being the predominant means of lethal violence.
While South Africa maintains relatively stringent gun ownership regulations, many of the homicides are attributed to firearms that are acquired illegally. This ongoing scourge has prompted law enforcement to intensify efforts to combat illegal alcohol sales and unlicensed taverns. From April to September of this year, police reported having shut down over 11,000 illegal drinking establishments and arrested more than 18,000 individuals related to these operations.
The prevalence of mass shootings at bars—referred to locally as shebeens—has raised significant concern among safety officials. Notable incidents in the past have included a shooting in Soweto that claimed 16 lives in 2022, emphasizing a troubling pattern of violence linked to illicit drinking venues.
Recent incidents have highlighted that mass shootings are not limited to bars, with notable violence reported in rural areas. In September of the previous year, a devastating attack claimed 18 lives, primarily affecting women, in rapid succession at two residences in the Eastern Cape province. Law enforcement managed to apprehend seven suspects in connection with that incident, recovering assault rifles believed to have been used in the attacks.
As South Africa continues to confront these violent episodes, the government faces increasing pressure to address the underlying issues contributing to this ongoing crisis.
